Clay County Sheriff's Office Warns of Sophisticated Jury Duty Scam

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a new and highly deceptive phone scam making the rounds today. A scammer claiming to be a Clay County deputy is contacting numerous residents, urging them to return a call to 816-200-0795. The number connects to what appears to be an official Clay County Sheriff's Office phone tree — but officials confirm it is a fraudulent system.

“This is a scam,” Sheriff’s Office Public Relations Manager Sarah Boyd said in a statement. “It may sound convincing, but do not engage with it.”

The fake phone tree mimics a real administrative phone system, but all menu options funnel the caller to the same selection: “civil service.” From there, victims may be directed to a website that falsely claims to be related to federal civil services. The site appears legitimate at first glance, but on closer inspection, all links redirect to a single account log-in page — and the domain ends in .org, not .gov as all authentic federal websites do.

The underlying scam follows a familiar pattern: targets are told they missed jury duty and now face a warrant for their arrest unless immediate action is taken. However, the added layers of a fake phone system and fraudulent website make this version more convincing — and more dangerous.

The official administrative number for the Clay County Sheriff’s Office is 816-407-3750, and the non-emergency line is 816-407-3700. Any residents receiving suspicious calls are encouraged to report the incident and not provide personal or financial information.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Fireworks Stands Opening in Kearney

Fireworks stands are popping up around Kearney, but consumers will have to wait a few more days before they are legally allowed to shoot off their noisemakers.

Fireworks vendors are allowed to be open from 9 am to midnight every day from June 20 until July 5.

The Kearney Police Department reminds residents that fireworks may only be discharged from June 28 to July 3, between the hours of 9 am to 10 pm. On July 4, fireworks may be discharged between the hours of 9 am to 11 pm. Fireworks may not be fired or discharged except on the individual’s own property or with the permission of the property owners.

People should not fire any fireworks in a way that would threaten or injure another person. Fireworks may be discharged at other times and places with the permission of the City. Bottle Rockets are ILLEGAL in Kearney City Limits.

Fireworks vendors are allowed to be open from 9 am to midnight every day from June 20 until July 5.

This year Kearney’s fireworks celebration will be on Thursday, July 3. The fireworks display will be at Jesse James Park and the city will have inflatables for the kids and a free concert featuring Platinum Express. The concert starts at 7:30 pm, and the fireworks start at 9:30 pm.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Kearney Invites Community to Help Shape Future of Pedestrian Connectivity

The City of Kearney is inviting residents to help shape the future of transportation and livability through the new grant-funded Connected Kearney Plan, a comprehensive initiative focused on enhancing pedestrian infrastructure, downtown improvements, and sidewalk connectivity.

An Open House event will be held Thursday, July 10, 2025, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Kearney Senior Center, 600 N. Jefferson Street. Community members are encouraged to attend and provide feedback as the city works to create a more walkable, accessible, and vibrant community.

The Connected Kearney Plan is funded by a grant from the Mid-America Regional Council’s Planning Sustainable Places (PSP) program and builds on findings from the city’s recent Transportation Master Plan. Residents voiced concerns about unsafe crossings, missing or deteriorating sidewalks, and a lack of trail connections—issues the new plan directly aims to address.

The initiative centers around three key goals:

• City-Wide Connectivity – A long-term strategy to link neighborhoods, parks, schools, and key destinations across Kearney with safe, inclusive pedestrian routes.

• Downtown District Improvements – Revitalization plans for downtown include improved streetscapes, safer intersections, traffic calming, and better parking and public spaces.

• Sidewalk Inventory and Improvements – A full inventory of existing sidewalks will help identify gaps and prioritize repairs or new construction to improve walkability citywide.

City officials say ongoing community involvement will be essential as the plan progresses, with more engagement opportunities to come.

For updates or to share your input, residents can visit the city's website or attend the July 10 Open House. As city leaders put it, “Together, we’re building a more connected, accessible, and thriving Kearney for everyone.”

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

New Paid Sick Leave Initiative Heads for 2026 Ballot

A renewed attempt to impose paid sick leave and automatic minimum wage increases in Missouri is drawing sharp criticism from the state’s leading business advocacy group, which warns the proposal would severely harm job creators and weaken the economy.

Backers of Proposition A have filed paperwork for Initiative Petition 2026-047, aiming to place a constitutional amendment on the 2026 ballot that would reinstate elements of the 2024 ballot initiative overturned by the legislature in 2025. That original measure required paid sick leave for all employees and set the state on course for a $15 minimum wage by 2026, with further increases tied to inflation.

Lawmakers rolled back those provisions last year through HB 567, citing the need to protect small businesses from costly mandates and unchecked wage growth tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry strongly supported the rollback, arguing that one-size-fits-all mandates damage economic competitiveness and threaten jobs.

If approved by voters, the new measure would again force employers to offer one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, resume CPI-based wage hikes starting in 2027, and allow local governments to exceed state mandates. It would also establish a new legal cause of action, potentially exposing businesses to costly and excessive litigation.

“The requirements in this proposal would have dire effects on Missouri’s economy, annual revenue, Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, GDP, and more,” said Kara Corches, president and CEO of the Missouri Chamber, in a letter to Secretary of State Denny Hoskins.

Business leaders are concerned. According to the Chamber’s 2025 CEO Survey, 37% of Missouri employers said the original Proposition A made them less likely to hire. Economic projections suggest the latest version could shrink Missouri’s GDP by nearly $20 billion, with an estimated $6 billion impact on the manufacturing sector alone.

“This proposal undermines the core of free enterprise by stripping businesses of the flexibility they need to compete, grow, and create jobs,” Corches said. “Missouri businesses, especially small employers, cannot afford the burden of blanket mandates and the threat of frivolous lawsuits.”

The Missouri Chamber plans to continue informing voters about the risks of Initiative Petition 2026-047 and will advocate for policies that support job creation, economic freedom, and long-term growth across the state.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Aldermen Approve Backyard Chickens with Restrictions

In a unanimous vote on Monday, June 16, the Kearney Board of Aldermen approved a measure allowing residents to keep backyard hens—marking the end of a years-long discussion on the matter. The decision, includes a series of regulations aimed at preserving neighborhood standards and addressing potential concerns.

Under the new ordinance, only residents living on single-family properties with at least half an acre of land will be eligible to keep hens. Roosters, guinea hens, and any other crowing or non-hen fowl remain prohibited.

Alderman David Lehman expressed concern about how the ordinance addresses potential nuisances, such as odor, noise, or unsanitary conditions. He took issue with how existing nuisance codes could place responsibility on neighbors.

“If your neighbor has hens and your dog barks, you as the dog owner would be penalized,” Lehman said. “I don’t like this aspect personally.”

Alderman Gerri Spencer read the nuisance section differently adding, “If your hens are making the neighbor dogs bark, I think it comes back to the chicken owner.”

Lehman also suggested requiring a permit and fee for chicken ownership, with proceeds going to support animal control services.

Mayor Randy Pogue acknowledged that the issue has circulated in public discourse for several years.

The ordinance outlines strict guidelines for maintenance and sanitation. All feed, water, waste, and other materials associated with the hens must be kept clean, odor-free, and secure to prevent the attraction of rodents or other animals.

With the vote now official, eligible Kearney residents can prepare to bring hens into their backyards—under careful rules designed to keep peace in the coop and the neighborhood.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.